Shropshire Star

Pro-Europe movement launched in Oswestry

It has engaged the nation for almost two years now and nearly everyone has an opinion on it.

Published
Steve Boyd, Jayne Middleton and Tony Meadows from the Oswestry branch of the European Movement campaign

Everyone had their say on whether Britain should be in the leave the EU or remain back in June 2016.

Since then arguments have been flying back and forth about why we should or shouldn't have decided to leave, with more information emerging daily about the future of the country and the consequences of Brexit.

Now in Oswestry and North Shropshire a branch of the national group European Movement has been set up, in a bid for people to have one final say on the future of the country.

The organisation, which shares a headquarters with six other pro Europe groups in London and has launched its campaign, #peoplesvote, calling for a vote on the final Brexit deal.

MPs and celebrities, including actor Patrick Stewart have endorsed the campaign and turned out for the national launch of the campaign last week.

Now a group in Oswestry has been set up to spread the message, and push for the #peoplesvote.

Founding member Steve Boyd, who runs a business from his home in Llanrhaeadr, has felt the affects of Brexit already, with a fall in the pound meaning it is more expensive for him to buy products in from countries like Germany, Poland and China.

He said the purpose of the group isn't to push for another referendum vote like the one two years ago, but for people to have their say on the final deal that is put in place for the government.

Steve Boyd, Jayne Middleton and Tony Meadows from the Oswestry branch of the European Movement campaign

He said: "It is emerging just how complicated Brexit is in terms of the plans that are being put in place.

"Two years ago we voted to leave the EU and lots of things were promised by politicians, and now those promises look to be false and we are seeing a different picture.

"This isn't a call for a repeat referendum, it is asking an entirely different question.

"In the coming months groups across the country will be lobbying MPs about this, and our group will be out and about in Oswestry and North Shropshire."

Former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill was part of the original European Movement group.

Mr Boyd admitted he believes other countries now see the UK as a joke since the vote to leave the EU was taken, and he also believes if Mr Churchill was alive today he would be a 'remainer.'

He added: "This is not being unpatriotic, we want the best for Britain and are very much patriotic.

"By leaving the EU our influence across the world is diminishing and already people see the UK as a joke which is a very sad state of affairs.

"Winston Churchill was one of the first people who was part of the movement, and if he was around today he would be a remainer."

Anyone wanting to join the Oswestry group can do by emailing info@euromove.org.uk